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5 Reasons to Work on Your Passion Before Sunrise

Last month I surveyed a group of blogging students on the challenges they are facing when it comes to pursuing their passion. While I heard many answers, there was a clear winner that stood out.

“I just don’t have the time to pursue my passion or start a business.”

Many of them are working full-time jobs, have family responsibilities, and are just plain too tired in the evenings to work on their business.

While I was processing how to help this group move forward with their dreams, Pat Flynn of the Smart Passive Income blog posted some great advice on his Facebook page about this very topic.

Pat said:

“Work for yourself first. This means, before you spend time at work, wake up a little earlier and work on your business FIRST. Even just an hour a day dedicated to building your business can go a long way because over time, this investment adds up.”

The Secret is to Work For Yourself First

I couldn’t agree more. Two years ago I was seeing some success in my online business but not at the level I was happy with at the time. Life was already super busy for me so I wasn’t sure want to do. My answer was 5:00 am. It wasn’t until I made the commitment to wake up early, avoid normal distractions, and work for myself first that I began to seize some momentum in my business.

I know what many of you are thinking. “I’m not a morning person.” Well, I lived with that excuse for awhile until I asked this question: “How’s that working for you?” If you want different results, you have to do different things. Here are 5 reasons why you should work for yourself first.

1. Willpower is a limited daily supply

I’ve mentioned this in a prior blog post, but it is so true. I remind myself daily that I start each day with a fully charged battery of willpower. If I wait to work on my business later, the focus, concentration, and commitment just aren’t there. It could be different for you, but I am guessing probably not. Be determined to do your most important stuff early in the morning.

2. Less distractions happen early in the morning

I also found that my early morning work session was completely free of distractions. I’m talking both external and internal distractions. No one is looking for me at 5:00am. The phone is not ringing at 5:00am. I’m free to work. While I have to watch myself, internal distractions are less at this time as well. I remind myself daily that I didn’t wake up at 5:00am to surf Facebook.

3. The Snowball Effect is in full force.

Never underestimate the power of flow and momentum in your work. Carving out consistent time to work on your passion is far better than carving out a full day. I get way more done in five 1 hour early morning work sessions than I do in a 5 hour block of time on a single day. Again, I think this has to do with willpower, but momentum comes from consistency.

4. Joy is an incredible alarm clock

I wish I would have coined this phrase, but it comes from John Acuff’s book, Start: Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average, and Do Work That Matters. In the book, John makes the point that joy will wake you up and keep you up. This is how non-morning people turn early morning work sessions into a regular habit. There is nothing more energizing then having something to look forward to when your feet first hit the floor.

I wish I would have coined this phrase, but it comes from John Acuff’s book, Start: Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average, and Do Work That Matters. In the book, John makes the point that joy will wake you up and keep you up. This is how non-morning people turn early morning work sessions into a regular habit. There is nothing more energizing then having something to look forward to when your feet first hit the floor.

5. Being normal is not an option

If being normal is okay for you, then stay on the road to average. Average is hitting the snooze button several times, rolling out of bed grumpy, hopping in the car late, being surprised at rush hour traffic, and enduring a job for the weekends. If that is what you want, do that. If not, work for yourself first each day.

“Average is hitting the snooze button, rolling out of bed grumpy, and being surprised at rush hour traffic.” tweet this

Question: In what ways have you figured out how to work for yourself first?

Jonathan has been blogging since 2009 and is still in awe that the Creator of the Universe desires to have a relationship with him. His passions include spending time with his kids, reading, March Madness, surprise get-a-way trips with his wife, and watching funny YouTube videos.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

2 thoughts on “5 Reasons to Work on Your Passion Before Sunrise”

great book recommendation. great writing. thanks for the inspiration. I tried this morning to wake up at 5am, my mind raced with the things I planned to do so I didn’t really sleep. When 5 am alarm hit I was sleepy.

I like how you say “I get way more done in five 1 hour early morning work sessions than I do in a 5 hour block of time on a single day” So true. Thanks again for sharing.